Fountain pen



Dec. 6, H. sp o FOUNTAIN PEN Filed Sept. 9. 1931 III III! IIIIIIIIIII/ "IIIIIIIIIIIIII II!!! I! INVENTOR.

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Patented Dec. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE/I HARRY SPIIRO, OF SAN FBANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASBIGNOR TO ADA JOEL SPIRO ronnram rm:

Application filed September 9, 1931.

This invention relates to fountain pens and particularly the type which is provided with a water bag and a container for concentrated ink, together with means for delivering 5 measured quantities of concentrated ink to the water bag, where it is mixed to form a writing fluid.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of fountain pens; to provide a fountain pen having a chamber in which is mounted a rubber bag for the reception of water and a second chamber for the reception of a cartridge containing concentrated ink; to provide a simple easily operated mechanism whereby a predetermined quantity of concentrated ink may be discharged from the cartridge and delivered to the water bag and mixed therewith to form a writing fluid; to provide means for visibly indicating the amount of concentrated ink remaining in the cartridge; and further, to provide a renewable cartridge to permit replacement of the cartridges as they become 25 empty.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the fountainpen, said view being partially in section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevaton of the fountain pen partially in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the cartridge containing chamber, showing the shape of the cartridge when empty.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a cartridge completely filled with concentrated inkfi.

Referring to the drawing in detail, particularly Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates theihead of a fountain pen, 2 the pen proper, and 3 the barrel connected with the head. The barrel is, in this instance, divided into two sections, the section indicated at 3 and a second section indicated at 3a. The section 3 is pro- 5 vided with the usual flexible rubber bag 4 which is adapted to be filled with a writing fluid and it is also provided with a lever mechanism 5 whereby the flexible bag may be deflated prior to filling. A threaded connecposition and thereby swings the pawl 13 out tion 6 is formed between the sections 3 and Serial No. 581,861.

3a so that the section 3a may be removed, as

willhereinafter be described.

The section 3a is adapted to contain a cartridge 7 filled with concentrated ink and it also contains a mechanism hereinafter de- I scribed whereby predetermined quantities of ink are dischlarged from the cartridge into the rubber bag 4 to be mixed with the content thereof to form a writing fluid.

The cartridge 7 is preferably made of rub ber or a like resilient material. It consists of a base section 8 and an elongated bag-like extension 7. It is filled with concentrated ink during manufacture and may be sold in lots of a dozen or the like.

The mechanism for actuating the cartridge, that is, for gradually squeezing or 001- lapsing the same is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. It consists of a pair of arms 9 and 9a which are pivotally connected as at 10 on a pin extending crosswise ofthe barrel section 3a. Extending through the arms 9 at a point adjacent the pivot 10 is a rod or pin 11 which is right and left-handed threaded. Secured centrally on said pin is a ratchet gear 12 and engageable therewith is a pawl 13. The pawl is pivotally mounted in a crosshead 14 which is provided with a pin-like extension 15. The crosshead and pin 15 are normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a spring 16 but the crosshead is adapted to be depressed by means of the pin 15 and as the pawl 13 is pivotally mounted in the crosshead it will engage the teeth of the ratchet gear 12 and thereby impart rotary movement to the right and left-hand threaded pin 11. The pawl is automatically disengaged with relation to the teeth on the ratchet gear 12 when the crosshead is depressed a predetermined distance. This is accomplished by means of a rearwardly extending arm 17 carried by the pawl. This arm engages a pin 18 when the crosshead has been depressed to its lowermost limit. The arm 17 engages the pin 18 in this of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet gear, hence permitting the crosshead and pawl to be raised by means of the spring 16 when the plunger or-pin 15 is released.

.In actual operation, if the cartridge 7 is empty andit is desired to replac'e the 'same, a

turning knob 19 secured in one end of the I right and'left-hand threaded pin.11 is first grasped and rotated in a direction to, spread the arms 9 and 9a- The barrel section is then unscrewed .from the section 3 and the cartridge 7 is removed from, the section 3a upwardly.

by merely r A full cartridge, such as shown in Fig. 4, is then insertedbetween'the arms 9 and 9a andthebarrel'sect-ion 3a is replaced and screwed into position on they threaded connection 6 During replacement of the barrel section 3a a perforating pin '20 carried bythe barrel section 3 enters the base 8 of the cartridge and perforates the same. This pin is hollow in the'manner of a hypodermic ill. This has a threadedengagement with- I needle, or the like, and as. such forms communication between the cartridge containing concentrated ink, and the rubber bag 4 as the opposite end of theperforated pin is con- .and as such produces suflicient suction to fill the bag 4 with water. The user of thefpen then depresses the pin or plunger 15. In so doing, pawl 13 engages theteeth of the'ratch-'.

et gear 12 and as such imparts a rotarymovement to't'he right and left-hand threadedpin the respective arms 9 and .9a and- .as such causes-them to apply a squeezing pressure to the bag extension 7 of the'cartridge.v The amount of rotation of the pin ll'is predeterv mined as thep'awl rides out of engagement with the ratchet gear .when the-pin 18 is en-. gaged and as the degree ofrotation-andthc amount of inward movement imparted to the arms!) and 9a is predetermined, it is 'sutficient ation the bag 7 issqueezed suflicientlyto dis-.' charge the desired amount. The-concentrated ink entering the bag 4.mixes with the 'vvater and a writing fiuid is thus formed. When the pen-or the bag 4becom'efs empty,the op a crater need'onlyactua'te the lever 5 and again refill the bag with water. He or she will then. depress the plunger-15 once and, as this imparts further inwardor squeezing movement.

to the. arms 9 and 9a, a second predetermined quantity of concentrated ink is delivered'to' the bag 4 and mixed therewith and the bag or pen is again filled with writing fluid; 1 The capacity of the concentrated bags or cartridges-7 maybe sufficient to refill or de-l liver sufli'cient concentrated ink to the bag 55 a desired number of times, for instance six grasping the head 8 and pulling it.

'mainingin' the bag.

means for visiblyindicating the q'uanti container, a compressible cartrid times, twelve times, or. whatever the case may be. The concentrated cartridge or bag 7 will-at the end of this period become empty as it will have become completel flattened by the arms 9-and 9a as shown in ig. 3. It

is then necessary to remove the barrel section 1 shown at 3a andinsert a full cartridge such as shownin Fig. 4, as previously described. A person usin a pen of thischaracter should be warned or s ouldat least have some means of indicating thefact that the concentrated cartridge or bag 7 is becoming'empty. In this instance, an indicating ployed. This-is securedto t e arm 9 and projects through a top opening in the barrel 13a. When the cartridge or bag 7 is full thein 22 projects as shown in Fig. 2, but asit gins to reach an empty condition the, pin

.disappears into the opemng, thus visibl indicating the amount of concentratedi re- The important feature of a the present vention is the provision of means, whereb a predeterminedjquantity of concentrated ink maybe delivered to the bag 4. .Such delivcry, of concentrate is positively insured as the in* 22 is emoperator or owner of the penis instructedto merely depress the plunger 15 once when rechar 'ng or. refilhng the pen,- hence a writing iiid or a predetermined strength is ob-' tained andthe pen may be refilled as many times as desired'depending upon the contents r V of the cartridge f.

' While certain features of the present invention aref'more or less specifically described, I wish it'understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appendedrclainis. I Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts em-' ployed maybe such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying mand.

Havingthus conditions or uses may de- 1. In a fountain concentrated ink connected with the oppothe container with water, means for succesof concentrated ink from the cartridge into the container to form .a writing fluid, and

described my invention, .what

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat- .ent istodischarge the desired quantity of concentrated ink. Onedepression of the-plunger 15 is suflicient, as during the depressing oper-v fof the-character descr1bed,a barrel section, a container in the barrel a .pen connected with one end of said .conta1ner,'an opaque cartridge-containing- 5' l1 site end of the container, means forfill n'g m Ti other means I actuated by saiddischarging- I concentratedinklremainin inthe cartrid e. 2; In a fountain pen 0 the character escribed, ism-e1 section,- a container int-he f barrel, a pen ccnnectedwith one end of said 'ing concentrated the op posite end of the. container, meansfor filling the container water-,1 pair of arms contain- 7 ing concentrated ink connected with the pcontainer, a

gaging opposite sides of the posite end of the container, the container with water, gaging opposite sides of arms being pivotall connected at one end, a right and left-han threaded screw having a threaded connection with the respective arms, and means for rotating said screw a predetermined portion of one revolution whereby the arms are moved towards each other a predetermined distance causing a redetermined quantity of concentrated in to discharge from the cartridge into the co taiuer to mix with the water and form a writing fluid.

4. In a fountain means for filling a pair of arms enthe cartridge, said pen of the character described, a barrel section, a container in the barrel, a pen connected with one end of said container, a compressible cartridge containing concentrated ink connected with the opposite end of the container, means for filling the container with water, a pair of arms engaging opposite sides of the cartridge, said arms bein pivotally connected at one end, a right and Ieft-hand threaded screw having a threaded connection with the respective arms, a ratchet gear secured on the screw, a depressible p unger, and a awl on said plunger engageab e with the ratchet gear whereby the screw is rotated apredetermined portion of one revolution.

5. In a fountain pen of the character described, a barrel section, a container in the barrel, a pen connected with one end of said compressible cartridge containmg concentrated ink connected with the opposite end of the container, means for the container with water, a pair of arms enarms being movable towards each other to compress the cartridge, actuating means for the arms whereby they are moved a predetermmed distance so as to discharge a predetermined quantity of concentrated ink from the cartridge into the container to form a writing fluid, and othermeana for quickly spreading the arms.

the container with water, a pair of arms engagin opposite sides of the cartridge, said arms ing pivotally connected at one end, a right and left-hand threaded screw having a threaded connection with the respective arms,

means for rotating said screw a predetermined portion of one revolution whereby the arms are moved towards each other a predetermined distance causing a redetermined uantity of concentrated in to discharge rom the cartridge into the container to mm with the water and form a writing fluid, and means connected with the right and left-hand screw for rotating it to rapidly spread the arms.

7 In combination with a fountain pen having a barrel and a compressible ink cartridge therein, means operable from the exterior of the barrel for compressing said cartridge, and a member movable with. said compressing means and extending through the barrel to indicate the amount that the cartridge has been compressed.

8. In combination with a fountain pen having a barrel and a compressible ink cartridge therein, means for compressing said cartridge a little at a time and maintainmg it in a compressed position, and a member movable with said compressing means and extending through the barrel to indicate the amount that the'cartridge has been compressed.

HARRY SPIRO.

cartridge, said 6. In a fountain pen of the character do scribed, a barrel section, a container in the barrel, a pen connected with one end of said container, a compressible cartrld contaming concentrated ink connected with the opposite end of the container, means for 

